This is a copy of Len Sabato’s e-mail response:

Hi Paul.
Thank you for your e mail and link to the JR Thread.
I reviewed most of the comments on the thread, and being a modeler myself, this type of discussion is simply commonplace on most all threads/sites we visit.
We typically only "step in" if a particular thread we are made aware of is getting far off track regarding facts (like was the case on Runryder), but in this case, it seems to us like all the pilots are being responsible and reasonable, so it does not seem like an official reply to address the direction of this thread is really needed.
Ultimately, our actions will speak louder than anything we can say or post on a forum. We are working feverishly to get JR Americas formed and up to full capacity to better serve our thousands of loyal JR customers.
JR customers should already be seeing an increase in new JR products, magazine and forum advertisements for JR products, and the re-establishment of "Team JR". All these recent products and promotions have been created and placed by JR Americas, with more exciting products and promotions to follow.

The post from Runryder covers a good part of the transition questions, which we can appreciate can be somewhat confusing for pilots outside the modeling industry.
To address your specific question regarding a new flagship radio, it is no secret that JR is currently developing a new system that will be at the pinnacle of JR technology, and will easily replace the current 12X system as the flagship of the JR brand.
Release dates are not yet confirmed, but based on current development progress the new flagship system should be available in early 2014.
As for the JR/Horizon relationship issue, as has been stated before, both Horizon and JR are committed to have Horizon continue as our distributor and service point for JR products for many years to come. While 2016 sounds like a short term deal, in our industry, 2 year contracts are the norm, so this is just a standard RC industry timeline.
JR has made a substantial commitment to securing their future in the US market with the formation of JR Americas, and we look forward to growing this branch for JR and providing additional products and services to JR customers as we grow..
Thanks again for your contact Paul.
You can feel free to post our response if you like, and any other JR pilots with questions or concerns can feel free to e mail me directly at len@jramericas.com.

So far.. this thread has been generally calm and respectful no?

just cuz all us Futaba people are just waiting in the wings, sharpening our teeth on the Obamacare thread!

Originally Posted by reyn3545

just cuz all us Futaba people are just waiting in the wings, sharpening our teeth on the Obamacare thread!

LOL

Originally Posted by Mithrandir

So far.. this thread has been generally calm and respectful no?

That's because I've stayed out of it

Pete

Originally Posted by Mithrandir

So far.. this thread has been generally calm and respectful no?

Dat azz.

JR Americas is a member as of today. Maybe they will say hi.

Originally Posted by Len Sabato

Release dates are not yet confirmed, but based on current development progress the new flagship system should be available in early 2014.

thanks for confirming #27 post info.

Originally Posted by STLAV8R

your avatar is always welcome!!!


lol

Originally Posted by pkchapman

This is a copy of Len Sabato’s e-mail response:

To address your specific question regarding a new flagship radio, it is no secret that JR is currently developing a new system that will be at the pinnacle of JR technology, and will easily replace the current 12X system as the flagship of the JR brand.
Release dates are not yet confirmed, but based on current development progress the new flagship system should be available in early 2014.

FANTASTIC NEWS! Paul - thanks for posting.

Pete

Originally Posted by Mithrandir

am I the only one who sees this as a prelude to a "Parting of ways"?

HH has their spektrum product.. a competing product of the JR product.

This is looking a bit like the beginning of a new beginning to me.... a beginning
without HH!!

Not trying to be a smackhole here.... but this looks to me like JR is preparing for
going seperate ways....

Im with you on this Mith

Originally Posted by Mithrandir

am I the only one who sees this as a prelude to a "Parting of ways"?

HH has their spektrum product.. a competing product of the JR product.

This is looking a bit like the beginning of a new beginning to me.... a beginning
without HH!!

Not trying to be a smackhole here.... but this looks to me like JR is preparing for
going seperate ways....

Originally Posted by boggintuff

Im with you on this Mith

Its been knowledge (at least in my circles) that JR and HH are going separate ways. This decision is the reason Spektrum now is offered in higher end versions, as before the agreement in place with JR did not allow for it.

Well I got tired of waiting for JR and went to the DX18 for an upgrade from my 12X. It's a fantastic radio for the price and the programming is really very capable, but it's big enough that the arthritis in my left thumb, short fingers and age made reaching those sticks and switches without cross controlling impossible for me to accomplish.

So I gave my brother the DX18 (he also got the DX8 and really likes it), I'm keeping the QQ as there are a couple of models programmed into it that I'd rather not duplicate, my 12X will get pressed back into service for my bigger gassers as they are still only on that radio, and I have a new 18MZ I'm trying to figure out how to program. My foamies and small pattern plane are already on it, the 2M pattern plane is next and all the other new models will be on Futaba.

I swore I'd never go back to Futaba after a run in with Hobby Services over my 9Z WCII radio, but the 18MZ fits my hands and although I'll never need the media player, it is a nice radio....

Best of luck with the 18MZ Zeeb!
It's way above my pay grade and needs, but I did get to try one a while ago and it was awesome
Pete

Originally Posted by Zeeb

Well I got tired of waiting for JR and went to the DX18 for an upgrade from my 12X. It's a fantastic radio for the price and the programming is really very capable, but it's big enough that the arthritis in my left thumb, short fingers and age made reaching those sticks and switches without cross controlling impossible for me to accomplish.

So I gave my brother the DX18 (he also got the DX8 and really likes it), I'm keeping the QQ as there are a couple of models programmed into it that I'd rather not duplicate, my 12X will get pressed back into service for my bigger gassers as they are still only on that radio, and I have a new 18MZ I'm trying to figure out how to program. My foamies and small pattern plane are already on it, the 2M pattern plane is next and all the other new models will be on Futaba.

I swore I'd never go back to Futaba after a run in with Hobby Services over my 9Z WCII radio, but the 18MZ fits my hands and although I'll never need the media player, it is a nice radio....

Zeeb,
You are in a position that many of us are not, that is you have both
the JR 12X and a Futaba 18MZ.
I’m hoping you would share your thoughts.
If you were in control of JR’s new top of the line radio design group what
would you order them to do to make the JR 12x better than the Futaba 18MZ.
For example: Would order them to make it with an aluminum case or plastic case?
Would the case be larger, smaller or the same size?
Would you tell them to keep in some fashion the complete array of switches that the
JR 12X presently has?
Would you order them to have the color touch screen?
Would you order them to produce an audio system that could call out IMAC sequences?
forward and backward with one toggle switch?
You are the total boss in this scenario, think in terms of making this radio
for all users not just yourself. What would you order them to make?
Price is not important at this point.
Thanks
Paul